“Alija at 100: Life, Thought, Struggle” Exhibition

Konya Metropolitan Municipality is hosting the exhibition “Alija at 100: Life, Thought, Struggle,” prepared to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of Alija Izetbegović, the first President of Bosnia and Herzegovina and a visionary leader.

Konya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Uğur İbrahim Altay visited the exhibition at Tantavi Culture and Art Center together with Meram Mayor Mustafa Kavuş, Sabina Berberović, the daughter of Alija Izetbegović, and Adis Alagić, a member of the Founding Board and Board of Directors of the Alija Izetbegović Foundation.

Making remarks about the exhibition, Mayor Altay stated that Tantavi Culture and Art Center has become one of the most important cultural and artistic venues in Konya, adding that Konya Metropolitan Municipality is hosting another significant exhibition.

Mayor Altay noted that the exhibition is an important showcase presenting Alija Izetbegović’s life and intellectual world, stating, “We are displaying his personal belongings here. More importantly, it has become a valuable opportunity to convey his ideas and his life of struggle, especially to our children and young people. Aliya was a wise leader who was aware of the close ties between Konya and Bosnia and Herzegovina and made his final visit to Konya. As Konya, we organized this event to honor that sense of loyalty and to present him in the best possible way. Today, his daughter also accompanied us. I once again welcome her to Konya, to this beautiful city.”

Sabina Berberović, the daughter of Alija Izetbegović, stated that she greatly appreciated the exhibition, saying, “I believe it conveys the message and principles it is meant to carry. Today, we had the chance to see part of Konya; everything was beautiful, and your city has a very warm atmosphere. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Türkiye are brotherly countries. Our peoples share friendly and fraternal relations. However, we must also say this: we never forget the support and solidarity shown by the people of Konya during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Now, instead of war, we are working together on new and positive projects in freedom. This is also evident from the many symbols in Konya related to Bosnia and Herzegovina. We will continue on our path in cooperation. There are so many symbols in Konya bearing the name of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Alija Izetbegović—streets, neighborhoods, mosques, and parks—which is truly remarkable. I was very surprised when I saw this upon my arrival. Thank you very much.”

The exhibition features personal belongings reflecting the intellectual depth and steadfast stance of the wise leader Alija on the path to independence, as well as biographical documents, original manuscripts, books selected from his personal library, and historical photographs.

All exhibited materials have been carefully selected from the archives of the Alija Izetbegović Foundation in Sarajevo and brought together within a thematic framework organized by the İlim Yayma Foundation.

The exhibition “Alija at 100: Life, Thought, Struggle” will be open to visitors at Tantavi Culture and Art Center until May 10, 2026.